Former Bayern Munich and Chelsea star Arjen Robben have completed his first-ever marathon in an incredible time. The Dutchman took part in the Rotterdam Marathon and managed to complete his run in less than three hours.
The 39-year-old retired from professional football last season after 21 years and a brief stint in his childhood club, Groningen. It was a gruelling 26.2-mile course all around Rotterdam but Robben did it in three hours, 13 minutes and 40 seconds.
He ran the race alongside Erben Wennemars, a former Dutch speed skater who set three world records during his career. Robben, who won league titles in Holland, England, Spain and Germany, averaged a hugely impressive pace of 7 minutes and 23 seconds per mile.
The race was won by Belgium’s Bashir Abdi in 2:03:47 hours.
Robben had already tried to complete the same marathon in under three hours last year, but failed, crossing the finish line after 3:13:40 hours.
After the race, the former Chelsea man said to local channel Rijnmond:
Not fun, it really wasn’t fun. I made it, but that’s about it. I often went deep and had to fight often enough, but this was also a real fight. That audience on the side helps you so much. Thanks to everyone for that, that got me through. In the beginning I was a bit preoccupied with a time, but at a certain point you throw that overboard. Then it’s surviving and entering my first marathon. Then you notice what something like that does to your body, but I made it.”
Robben is regarded as one of the best Dutch players of all time. He scored over 200 goals in a trophy-laden career.
cc: allfootball
